OCMS hosting new events for Holiday Brilliance

Osceola Chamber Main Street invites all Osceola merchants to stay open until 8 p.m. to promote local holiday sales. Any business that wishes to participate should contact 641-342-4200 or ocmsadmin@iowatelecom.net by Aug. 30. In return for participation, free advertisement will be published in the community and online. To help encourage more local shopping, all businesses, whether open or not, are asked to decorate for the holiday season.

New this year, Osceola Chamber Main Street is hosting a chili cook-off competition in the downtown area, similar in nature to the Wine Walk. Any businesses not located on the square are welcome to participate. Osceola Chamber Main Street will work with businesses to find a spot to set up for the event. Like the Wine Walk, a different chili will be in each open merchant. Individuals will purchase a bowl for $5. Once they have their bowl, they will get a scorecard and visit each of the participating merchants, tasting the chili and rating their favorites.

Every bowl purchased will come with a free raffle ticket for a drawing from Santa at the end of the evening’s activities. Any business that would like to have coupons handed out can those to OCMS and they will be handed out with the bowls.

For individuals interested in participating in the chili cook-off, sign up at OCMS by Oct. 18. There is a $10 entry fee, which will go towards prize money for the winner.

Holiday Brilliance will also have Santa and Mrs. Claus returning for a visit to the square. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in the Santa House by the bandstand from 5:30-8 p.m. Children can tell them what they want for Christmas and get their picture taken with them. At 8 p.m., Mrs. Claus will read “The Night Before Christmas,” and children are invited to join her on stage.

After Mrs. Claus finishes reading, carollers from Clarke Community Schools will be singing holiday carols. Santa will then draw the winners of the raffle, and the countdown will begin to light the square.

Osceola Chamber Main Street’s goal is to have a great holiday season and encourage everyone to shop locally. If you are interested in participating in any part of this event, contact OCMS by respective deadlines at 641-342-4200 or ocmsadmin@iowatelecom.net.